To examine what the concept of the green economy means in practice for European countries, and to evaluate their progress in achieving such a transition, in 2012 the European Environment Agency (EEA) initiated a new series of environmental indicator reports. The first two reports in the series focused on green economy and the European environment, addressing resource efficiency and resilience and the links between European resource demand, environmental degradation and changes in human wellbeing.

A major new report released by a commission of global leaders finds that governments and businesses can improve economic growth and reduce their carbon emissions together. Rapid technological innovation and new investment in infrastructure are making it possible today to tackle climate change at the same time as improving economic performance.

The green economy is widely seen as a potential solution to current global economic and environmental crises, and a potential mechanism by which sustainable development might be achieved in practice.

A special issue of the Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development (JAFSCD) on Cooperatives and Alternative Food Systems Initiatives is now out.

This issue of "Green Growth the Nordic Way”, a web magazine from the Nordic Council of Ministers, discusses the topic of circular economy and the work of the Council within the areas of waste management and sustainable building. 

The Worldwatch Institute has released the 2014 edition of its “State of the World” series. “Governing for Sustainability” examines how action—on climate, species loss, inequity, and other sustainability crises—is being driven by local, people’s, women’s, and grassroots movements around the world, often in opposition to the agendas pursued by governments and big corporations.

UNEP’s 10 Year Framework of Programs (10YFP) is an initiative focused on sustainable consumption and production. It aims to enhance international cooperation to accelerate the shift towards this goal in both developed and developing countries. 

This Local food grants report by University of Gloucestershire’s Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) assesses the benefits created by the Local Food Programme using a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach. The SROI approach was developed from social accounting and cost-benefit analysis. The outcome assessment is based on a ratio of benefit-to-investment calculation including social, environmental and economic values.